Snooker greats in town to raise cash for charity (From Gazette)

Snooker greats in town to raise cash for charity

6:20am Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

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A ROCKET and a Whirlwind whipped through Colchester’s Charter Hall as two snooker legends went head-to-head.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jimmy White played in front of an entranced crowd for a cancer fundraiser.

The pair were watched by nearly 500 people.

Michaela Tabb, the professional game’s only female referee, took charge of the match, which saw both players put on a show of trick shots for the audience’s pleasure.

John Virgo, known from TV’s Big Break, opened the evening with a series of classic trick shots, before he teamed up with Colchester magician Michael J Fitch to compere the event.

Some lucky VIPs met the legends at a reception before the game.

The match was organised by Maldon woman Jacki Ithier to raise money for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the charity.

Mrs Ithier is being treated for breast cancer and took part in Race for Life, in Chelmsford, earlier this year with Ronnie O’Sullivan’s mother, Maria and sister, Danielle.

Mrs Ithier thanked both stars for agreeing to take part. She said: “I’m just so happy to have two greats of the game here for the night and I hope we can raise as much money as possible.

“Ronnie hardly ever plays in events like this, so I think we’re especially lucky to have him here.”

For Mr O’Sullivan, who is ranked third in the world, the event was significant, because Mrs Ithier, 43, founded his fan club.